 |
|
|
The Best Walks
Old Palermo: In the heart of this ancient city, you can take a walk into history that in 3 hours will bring you by some of the Sicilian capital's most fabled monuments and into some of its most charming squares, such as Piazza Pretoria. You'll marvel that so much of the antique still remains, yet at the same time enjoy watching the locals go about their daily lives past monuments that in some cases were left over by the Arabs or the Normans.
Ustica: In just 3 to 4 hours, you can circumnavigate the small island of Ustica, which rises out of the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea 57km (35 miles) northwest of Palermo (reached by boat). The best hike on this volcanic island is the coastal path north of the main settlement. The local tourist office will provide a map. You'll pass along steep cliffs, part of a marine reserve, and be rewarded with some of the most stunning sea views in this part of the world. At some point, you can strip down and cool off from your walk by going swimming.
Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie: This park, which begins 6km (3 2/3 miles) south of the coastal town of Cefalù, is too vast to explore by foot unless you have days. It comprises 39,679 hectares (98,049 acres) in all. But you can take a full-day excursion to walk through what has been called a "botanic paradise," containing more than half the species known on the island. Our favorite part of the walk centers on the village of Santuario di Gibilmanna, from whose belvederes you'll have the most panoramic views of the island. From here, you can walk all the way to the idyllic town of Castelbuno, coming to a rest at its historic Piazza Margherita.
Vulcano: This is the most visited of the offshore Aeolian Islands. In ancient times, it was known as Thermessa and was believed to be the home of the god Vulcan, but also the gateway to Hades. Its big attraction is the Gran Cratere, which hasn't erupted since 1890. The walk to reach the peak of this crater is one of the most heavily trod in the islands. Allow about 3 hours for the trek there and back. For your effort, you'll be rewarded with the greatest of all views, not only of Vulcano, but of the other Aeolian Islands as well.
Old Catania: Overshadowed by Mount Etna, Catania is the second-largest and one of the most historic cities of Sicily. A walk through the heart of Catania is the best way to explore its monuments. But it's not all history: You'll also get to take in the sights of the bustling outdoor market in the historic core. It will take about 4 1/2 hours, however, to cover just the highlights of the monuments, including the "Fountain of 10 Rivers" and the ancient Duomo, which was built after the great earthquake of 1902.
Valley of the Temples: Our favorite walk in all of Sicily is along the Valley of the Temples, in the city of Agrigento. This is one of the most memorable and evocative sights of the ancient world. You won't find such impressive Greek ruins even in Greece itself. We prefer to walk among these ruins either at dawn or sunset. Naturally, their mysterious aura is heightened even more in springtime, when all the wildflowers are bursting into bloom. The highlight of your walk will be the Tempio della Concordia (Concord), the best preserved Greek ruins in the world.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
|
|
|
